Apple to Introduce a Curved-Glass iPhone 5?

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Digitimes reports that according to industry sources, Apple is planning to adopt a "curved cover glass" for its next generation iPhone.

Cover glass makers are reluctant to commit investment to the purchase of glass cutting equipment due to the high capital involved, said the sources.

According to those same sources, Apple has purchased 200-300 glass cutting machines to be used by glass makers.

There has been no timetable yet for the volume production of iPhone 5 as Apple is currently still working with related suppliers including those involved in cover glass, glass cutting, lamination and touch sensors to improve yield rates, the sources commented.

It's hard to say what type of design a "curved cover glass" iPhone would adopt. It would also fly against recent claims and beliefs that the iPhone 5 will adopt a generally similar-to the iPhone 4 form factor but with only minor modifications.

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Apple has previously used curved glass in the previous generation iPod Nano. Image above from DailyMail.co.uk.

The Samsung Nexus S uses a concave curved screen. The reasoning behind the move was for comfort:

big 3

Well, our tipster tells us Samsung's been shopping this curved display technology to carriers for a while -- as early as CES at the beginning of this year behind closed doors -- claiming that its research showed such a design improved perceived usability over a perfectly flat display.

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Top Rated Comments

Kwill Avatar
185 months ago
This confirms it

In other words, there's a new rumor to support the FACT that no one has a clue what the next iPhone will look like.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrelwood Avatar
185 months ago
I think you are getting the curve wrong.

(http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/iphone5curved.jpg/)
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lostngone Avatar
185 months ago
Curved glass? That's so un-Apple!

Yes you are so right, Apple will never do anything with curved glass!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
185 months ago
It was most certainly plastic.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-iPod-Nano-5th-Generation-Glass-Panel/3128/1
Replace the curved glass screen to make your iPod Nano look like new again.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1054144/First-review-new-iPod-Nano-Shake-shuffle-ready-roll.html

Every edge is curved, even down to the glass covering the screen. It's also incredibly light.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
185 months ago
so, iPod Nano had a curved glass screen

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Icaras Avatar
185 months ago
back to old school tube television!!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)